How to Add an SPF Record in GoDaddy

The short answer. Add one TXT record in GoDaddy with the host @ and a value that starts with v=spf1 and lists every service that sends mail for you, for example v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all. A domain may have only one.

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What an SPF Record Does#

SPF is a list of the servers allowed to send mail for your domain. Receivers check the sending server against it, and mail from anywhere else can be marked as spam or rejected. It is a TXT record at the root of the domain.

Check Where Your DNS Is Managed#

A record only works at the company that answers DNS for the domain, which is not always the one you bought it from. Open the domain and choose DNS. If the page lists Nameservers that are not GoDaddy’s (they end in domaincontrol.com), the DNS is managed elsewhere and records added here are ignored.

The SPF Record to Add#

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

The include part depends on who sends your mail. Use the value your mail provider gives you. Two common ones:

A domain that sends no mail at all should say so: v=spf1 -all. Several senders go in one record, each with its own include, before the ending:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:spf.protection.outlook.com ~all

The ending ~all marks other senders as suspicious. -all rejects them. Start with ~all and move to -all when you are sure the list is complete.

Step by Step in GoDaddy#

Step 1. Open your domain

Sign in to GoDaddy, open My Products and find the domain under Domains. Click DNS next to it (or open the domain and choose DNS).

Step 2. Open DNS Records

The DNS Records tab lists every record. Records GoDaddy created for its own products are marked.

Step 3. Add a new record

Click Add New Record. A form opens with the record type first.

Step 4. Enter the SPF record

Choose TXT as the type and fill in the fields:

• Name: @
• Value: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
• TTL: Leave TTL at the default of 1 Hour. Choose a shorter one before a planned change.

The value to copy:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

Step 5. Save

Click Save. The record appears in the list straight away.

Change an Existing SPF Record#

Look for an existing TXT record at @ that starts with v=spf1 before you add anything. If there is one, edit it instead of adding another. Click the pencil icon at the end of the row to edit it, or the trash icon to delete it. Click Save to confirm.

Keep everything that is already allowed and add the new include before the ending. To allow a new service, change:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all

to:

v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:newservice.example ~all

Common Mistakes#

• Creating a second SPF record. Two records make SPF fail with a permanent error. Merge them into one.
• Replacing the old record instead of adding to it, which drops a sender that was working.
• Going past ten DNS lookups. Every include counts, and so do the ones inside it. Past ten, SPF fails for everyone.
• Ending with +all, which allows the whole internet to send as you.
• Leaving out v=spf1 at the start. Without it the record is not SPF.
• Editing the record GoDaddy added for Email products. Those are managed by GoDaddy, so change the product setting rather than the record.

Check That It Worked#

A TXT lookup for the domain itself should list one value that starts with v=spf1. Send a test email to a Gmail address and check the original message headers for spf=pass. Changes show up as caches expire, usually within minutes for a record and up to two days for nameservers, see how long DNS propagation takes.

More GoDaddy DNS Guides#

• How to Add a DMARC Record in GoDaddy
• How to Add a TXT Record in GoDaddy
• How to Change Nameservers in GoDaddy
• How to Add MX Records in GoDaddy

The same task elsewhere: Namecheap, Cloudflare, Hostinger, Squarespace.

Menu names last checked October 2026. Providers rename things now and then; if a label differs, look for the closest match.